Rifle-target.



0. H. WHITMAN. RIFLE TARGET.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22,, 1914.

1 1 23,05 1 Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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. Z3 vwewtoz C. hiimmw/ Q/Vi/Mwooeo G. H. WHITMAN.

RIFLE TARGET.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22, 1914.

1,123,051. v Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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attoznua CHARLES H. WHITMAN, 0F DES MOINES, IOWA.

Rina-TARGET.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29, 31914.

Application filed July 22, 1914. Serial No. 852,444.

To all whom, z't-may concern Be itlcnown that I, CHARLES H. WHIT- MAN, a citizen .of the United States, residing at DesMoines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rifle-Targets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to targets for use in rifle practice, such as are used in indoor galleries, the vide a target which is adapted particularly for use in practice with rifles or the like which are adapted to project small shot, the target being constructed in such a manner that it is adapted to" receive and store the shot as they strike the same without mutilating or otherwise injuring the shot, in order that the latter may be used again.

A further object of the invention is to provide a target of the character set forth Jury to the shot. The

which includes a casing having an opening therein in which a temporary, penetrable target proper is adapted to be mounted, and cushioning means arranged within the casing directly in rear of the target proper. The cushioning means is adapted to stop the projectiles after they have penetrated the target and to cause the same to rebound against the rear face of the target proper, whereupon they will fall to the bottom of the casing and will accumulate therein after the firing ceases. Afterward these projectiles may be recovered for further use.

A still further object is to provide a target of this general construction wherein means is provided for indicating by means of an audible signal each hit upon the bullseye of the target proper, but which indicating means will not interfere with the proper operation of the projectiles without injuring the same.

Another object is to construct a device in such a manner that it will comprise few parts which are readily operable and reliable, whereby the device is rendered inexpensive in cost of manufacture and adapted for use in indoor galleries, or circuses, and in the home.

The invention consists in the features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompa'nying drawings, in w-hich:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device; (Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view on .the rectangular casing of primary object being to pro the means for stopping at fairs,

the line 22 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a slmilar VIEW on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. F 1g. 4 1s a horizontal section .on theline H, Fig. 3.

In the drawings the numeral 1 designates the device which may be constructed of metal or any other suitable material and is portable, whereby it may be positioned in any suitable place for target practice and may be moved about from place to place as the occasion demands.

e casing is provided in its front wall 2 ad acent to the upper end thereof with a large opening 3 in which interchangeable targets, such as that indicated by the numeral 4, may be 'mounted detachably. Each of thes targets proper is constructed preferably 0 card board or other material which may be penetrated by the shot projected from an air rifle without causing inusual bulls-eye and annular rings concentric thereto are in scribed upon each target.

A flat, transversely extending plate 5 is mounted withinthe upper portion of the casing directly within the opening 3. This plate is adapted to rest upon supporting cleats 6 which are secured to the side walls 7 of the casing, within the recess 8 provided therein, the upper edge of the plate being engaged within a recess 9 which is provided in other cleats 10 carried by the side walls. The bottom walls of the cleat recess 8 are disposed below the lower edge of the target receiving opening 3v upper edge of the said opening is defined by a removable strip 11 which projects below the top walls of the cleat recess 9, in order that the plate 5 will be secured effectively in position by the strip 11 when the latter is secured fixedly to the casing by means of attaching screws 12 or the like.

The plate 5 is provided with an opening 13 in the rear of the bulls-eye of the target 4 in direct alinement therewith and a swinging disk 14 is pivotally mounted upon the rear face of the plate 5 by means of the pivot pin 15 this disk being disposed in alinement with the plate opening 13 also. A clapper 16 is provided upon the disk 14 and is adapted to strike a bell 17 which is mounted preferably. upon the rear face of the plate 5. This movable disk is adapted normally to be suspended in a position 11c in rear of the target mounted in the casing and the.

wherein the clapper will be out of engagement with the bell, but, should a shot penetrate the bulls-eye of the target, it will pass through the plate opening 13 so as to strike the disk 14: and thus bring the clapper into engagement with the bell to sound an audible signal indicating the shot.

The front face of the plate 5 is adapted to be faced with a sheet 18 of elastic material such as soft rubber or the like, which will cause a shot striking the same to rebound without being mutilated by the impact, whereupon it will fall to the bottom of the casing within an inclined trough 19 in which the shot may accumulate during the practice. A discharge opening 20 is provided in the casing in the lower end of the trough through which the shots may be emptied. This opening is adapted to be closed by means of a closure plate 21. A facing sheet 22 also is provided upon the front face of the movable disk 14 in order that shot striking the same will be deflected into the trough in like manner without being injured.

While the bell is shown as being mounted within the casing of the device, it may be mounted exteriorly thereof upon the rear wall, if this expedient proves desirable in practice. In this case, the partition wall may be omitted and the rear wall will be faced with cushioning material for breaking the impact of the shot therewith, it being necessary also to provide an opening in the rear wall through which the clapper disk may be projected in order that the shot will fall within the casing. Such other mechanical changes, as may be found necessary in practice may be resorted to as the occasion demands.

What is claimed is 1'. A device of the class described comprising a casing having an opening therein, a penetrable target adapted to be'mounted within the said opening, a plate arranged within the casing in rear'of the opening and having a medial opening therein disposed in rear of the bulls eye of the target in alinement therewith, a facing sheet of elastic material provided upon the front face of the said plate surrounding its opening, a movable disk mounted within the casing in rear of the plate opening, a facing sheet of elastic material provided upon the front face of the disk, and a signal device associated with the said disk and adapted to be actuated upon movement of the same.

2. A device of the class described comprising a casing'having an opening therein, a penetrable target adapted to be mounted within the casing in rear of the opening and having a medial opening therein disposed in rear of the bulls-eye of the target in alinement therewith, a facing sheet of elastic material provided upon the front face of the said plate surrounding its opening, a movable disk mounted within the casing in rear of the plate opening, a facing sheet of elastic material provided upon the front face of the disk, a clapper mounted upon the movable disk, and a bell mounted upon the casing in the path of movement of the clapper.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES H. XVHITMAN.

WVitnesses:

E. O. MATTOX, A. H. DANIELS. 

